Sonia McDonald* urges people to set the career goals that really matter to them and to never be ashamed of sharing them.
Have you achieved your goals?
Just sit with this statement for a moment and see what comes up.
Possible thoughts could be: I haven’t achieved my goal and I am inadequate and unworthy of the goals I’ve set.
Or: I am afraid to share my goals for fear of judgment.
It’s important to understand your thought process; you may have goal shame lurking in the shadows of your mind.
Shame is a messenger and it’s important to pay attention to the message and take action to live a more meaningful life.
If shame is a brake to your success, address it, ensure you are running on full power and then, anything becomes possible.
In April, Joaquin Selva wrote an article titled Shame Resilience Theory which indicated that at some points in our lives, we will all feel shame.
Since there is no way to avoid feeling shame — and it can have severe negative consequences — it’s important to consider how we react to it.
Shame Resilience Theory is an attempt to define shame and its consequences, as well as the ways that people respond to shame.
If you practice the steps suggested, you will become more resilient in the face of shame and more powerful.
Achieve the impossible dream
Now that you have a tough leadership mindset, it’s time to achieve that impossible dream.
Explorer, Edmund Hillary indicated in the early 1940s that he was going to climb Everest and shared a seemingly impossible goal with the world.
No one had achieved this and, against public criticism, he succeeded on 29 May, 1953 with Tenzing Norgay. Hillary didn’t play small.
Define what success means for you
My blog, Set Yourself up for Success, indicates how to think about success differently.
We all have a different definition of the word and success can be anything you want it to be as long as you’re ultimately happy and content with your life.
My definition of success means significantly impacting others’ lives and making a difference.
One characteristic that drives people’s success (whether they’re successful in politics, business, sports, arts, science, athletics, etc.) is that they’re goal-driven.
I believe goals are fundamental to success.
Based on my experience, steps to achieve the impossible dream include clarifying your purpose; being clear about expectations; staying focused, and stopping being your own worst critic.
Above all, you must be relentless in the pursuit of your success.
Stay kind. Stay courageous.
*Sonia McDonald is the Chief Executive and founder of Brisbane-based LeadershipHQ and McDonald Inc. She can be contacted at soniamcdonald.com.au
This article first appeared on LinkedIn.
